Note pad device using paper rolls

ABSTRACT

A casing contains a pair of rollers one at each end and a roll of paper is placed on one roller, extends across the top panel of the casing which acts as a writing surface, and is then wound upon the other roll. Removable end panels and detachable rollers facilitate the replacement of the paper roll.

United States Patent 1 Penner NOTE PAD DEVICE USING PAPER ROLLS [76] Inventor: David Penner, 508 Ash St.,

' Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada [22] Filed: Oct. 21, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 191,261

[52] U.S. Cl. 281/8, 242/67.3 R, 242/74 [51] Int. Cl 1142f 17/28, B65h 17/00 [58] Field of Search 242/67.3, 74, 67.4;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gayer 281/7 11 3,738,685 1 June 12, 1973 633,603 9/1899 Miles 281/7 3,065,838 11/1962 Biedinger 242/74 X 1,534,755 4/1925 Abbott 242/74 Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Attorney-Kent & Ade

[5 7] ABSTRACT A casing contains a pair of rollers one at each end and a roll of paper is placed onone roller, extends across the top panel of the casing which acts as a writing surface, and is then wound upon the other roll. Removable end panels and detachable rollers facilitate the replacement of the paper roll.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Conventional memo pads usifior telephone messages or the like normally consist of a pad with tear off sheets. Alternatively, a roll of paper is used which can be pulled downwardly over a writing surface and then torn off when finished. Endless roll type assemblies are known but these are usually very involved mechanically, consist of a great number of parts, and often are not sturdy and reliable in operation.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes all of these disadvantages by providing a note pad device adapted to be used with paper rolls and which consists of only five parts making manufacture, assembly and maintenance relatively easy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the conventional roll of paper used therein, is rolled upon a storage spindle so thataccess to notes or memoranda is available at any time by turning back the roll.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the paper from the roll is fed over an upper centrally located panel which acts as a writing surface.

A stillfurther object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the paper roll is easily removed and replaced.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the'character herewithin described which includes novel end covers which are easily attached and detached over the sections carrying the paper roll.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose for'which it is designed.

With the considerations and inventive objects herein set forth in view, and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel features as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the inventive concept which is comprised, embodied, embraced, or included in the method, process,construction, composition, arrangement or combination of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, herein exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 is an enlarged'fragmentary view showing the method of detaching the'spindles.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view substantially along the 5-5 of FIG. 4. I

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of one of the cover panels.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION U Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference to the accompanying drawings will show a casing collectively designated 10 and preferably formed from plastic by injection moulding or the like. This casing is provided with a pair of side panels 11 maintained in spaced and parallel relationship by meanS of a pair of end panels 12 spanning the ends of the side panels 11. In this connection the upper edges 13 of the end panels are continued inwardly slightly to form closure panel engaging lips 13A as will hereinafter be described.

A centrally located upper panel 14 spans the two side panels 1 1 between the ends thereof and this panel terminates short of the end panels 12 thus defining with the side panels 11 and the end panels 12, an enclosure 15 and 15A at each end of the casing. In this connection vertical transverse walls 16 depend from the transverse edges 17 of the central panel 14 for support purposes and to complete the enclosures l5 and 15A.

A paper roll holding spindle 18 engages through apertures 19in the side walls 11 where they define the enclosure 15 and this spindle extends across the enclosure 15 and is bearably supported within the apertures 19 in the side walls 11. A conventional paper roll 19 is engaged over this spindle and in this connection note should be taken of the prongs 20 which extend ouwardly from the surface of the spindle 18 and'bite into the cardboard core 21 normally forming part of the paper roll 19. This ensures that the roll will rotate with the spindle 18 when rotated by the knurled wheel 22 secured to one end of the spindle 18 exteriorly of the casing 10.

A paper end holding spindle 23 extends through the side walls 11 where they define the enclosure 15A and wheel 22A in the direction of arrow 26 are bearably supported within the apertures (not illustrated) formed within the side walls. This spindle 23 also extends transversely across the enclosure 15A and may be rotated by a knurled wheel 22A secured to one end of the spindle 23 exteriorly of the casing as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 1

The end 24 of the paper roll 19 is extended over the centrally located upper panel 14 and then downwardly into the enclosure 15A whereupon it is taped to spindle 23 by means of tape 25 so that rotation of knurled will wind paper from roll 19, over the panel 14 which acts as a writing surface, and upon spindle 23. By the same token rotation of wheel 22 in the direction of arrow 27 will rewind paper'from spindle 23 back upon roll 19.

This means that access can be obtained to any information written upon the paper from roll 19 and stored upon spindle 23.

Means are provided to readily remove and replace the roll 19 by removal of spindles 18 and 23 and in this connection reference should be made to FIGS. 4 and 5 in which is illustrated the projection 28 extending from the wall of spindle 18 adjacent to but spaced from the knurled wheel 22. Normally this prevents removal of the spindle 18 from the enclosure 15 but if this projection is aligned with a notch 29 formed in the side wall 11 and opening into the aperture 19, then the spindle can be withdrawn from the enclosure and from the :roll core 21.

The spindle 23 may be removed from enclosure 15A in a similar manner, it being understood that a core 21A engages over spindle 23 in a similar manner and that the paper end 24 is secured to this core 21A.

A closure panel 30 normally enclosed the enclosures 15 and 15A and this panel is substantially rectangular when viewed in plan and is provided with a stepped down or depressed outer transverse edge 31. This edge normally engages under lips 13A as clearly shown in FIG. 3 whereupon the closure panels lie flush with the inturned ends 13 of the end panels inner edges 32 of these closure panels terminate spaced from the transverse edges l7 of the central panel 14 thus defining slots 33 through which the paper from the paper roll 19 extends as shown in FIG. 3. Projecting lugs 34 depend downwardly from the side edges of the closure panels 30 adjacent the inner transverse edges 32 thereof and these lugs frictionally engage within corresponding apertures 35 formed in the upper edges of the side panels 11 adjacent the transverse edges 17 of the upper panel 14. This means that the closure panels are easily removed and replaced when it is desired to obtain access to the enclosures and 15A for removal and replacement of the paper roll 19.

Finally means are provided to facilitate the alignment of the projection 28 with the notches 29 for removal of the spindles. This takes the form of a fixed mark or indicia 36 upon the end walls of the casing adjacent the knurled wheels 22 and 22A together with a further mark or indicia 37 upon the surface of the knurled wheels 22 and 22A. When these two indicia are aligned, the projection 28 is aligned with the notch 29 thus enabling the spindle to be withdrawn from the enclosures 15 and 15A.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept which is herein disclosed and- /or claimed.

What is claimed to be the present invention is:

l. A note pad device for use with paper rolls, comprising in combination a casing including a pair of spaced parallel side walls, end walls spanning said side walls, a centrally located upper panel spanning said side walls but having transverse edges terminating in spaced relation from said end walls to define with said side walls and said end walls an enclosure situated at each end of said casing, a paper roll holding spindle journalled for rotation within said side walls and extending through one of said enclosures, a paper end holding spindle journalled for rotation within said side walls and extending through the other of said enclosures, said side walls being apertured to receive said spindles, means secured to the ends of said spindles exteriorly of said side walls for rotating the spindles manually, a closure panel detachably covering each of said enclosures, said closure panel including an inner transverse edge terminating spaced from the transverse edge of said upper panel to define a transverse slot through which paper passes from the associated roll, and means to remove said spindle from said casing for placement and removal of a paper roll, said last mentioned means comrising a projection on said spindle adjacent to but spaced from said means secured to the end of the spindle for rotating the same, and a corresponding notch formed in the side walls and opening into the apertures therein, said spindle being engageable and disengageable with said side walls when said projection is aligned with said notch.

2. The device according to claim 1 which includes means on said paper roll holding spindle to frictionally engage within the core of the associated roll, said last means comprising at least one core engaging prong extending from the surface of said spindle.

3. The device according to claim 1 in which said closure panel comprises a rectangular panel, the outer transverse edge of said panel being depressed below the plane of said panel, said end walls of said casing extending inwardly at the upper edges thereof to form a closure panel engaging lip, said outer transverse edge of said panel engaging under said lip, and friction means depending from the side edges of said closure panel engageable within means on the upper edges of said walls to detachably hold said closure panels in the closed position.

4. The device according to claim 4 in which said closure panel comprises a rectangular panel, the outer transverse edge of said panel being depressed below the plane of said panel, said end walls of said casing extending inwardly at the upper edges thereof to form a closure panel engaging lip, said outer transverse edge of said panel engaging under said lip, and friction means depending from the side edges of said closure panel engagable within means on the upper edges of said walls to detachably hold said closure panels in the closed position. 

1. A note pad device for use with paper rolls, comprising in combination a casing including a pair of spaced parallel side walls, end walls spanning said side walls, a centrally located upper panel spanning said side walls but having transverse edges terminating in spaced relation from said end walls to define with said side walls and said end walls an enclosure situated at each end of said casing, a paper roll holding spindle journalled for rotation within said side walls and extending through one of said enclosures, a paper end holding spindle journalled for rotation within said side walls and extending through the other of said enclosures, said side walls being apertured to receive said spindles, means secured to the ends of said spindles exteriorly of said side walls for rotating the spindles manually, a closure panel detachably covering each of said enclosures, said closure panel including an inner transverse edge terminating spaced from the transverse edge of said upper panel to define a transverse slot through which paper passes from the associated roll, and means to remove said spindle from said casing for placement and removal of a paper roll, said last mentioned means comrising a projection on said spindle adjacent to but spaced from said means secured to the end of the spindle for rotating the same, and a corresponding notch formed in the side walls and opening into the apertures therein, said spindle being engageable and disengageable with said side walls when said projection is aligned with said notch.
 2. The device according to claim 1 which includes means on said paper roll holding spindle to frictionally engage within the core of the associated roll, said last means comprising at least one core engaging prong extending from the surface of said spindle.
 3. The device according to claim 1 in which said closure panel comprises a rectangular panel, the outer transverse edge of said panel being depressed below the plane of said panel, said end walls of said casing extending inwardly at the upper edges thereof to form a closure panel engaging lip, said outer transverse edge of said panel engaging under said lip, and friction means depending from the side edges of said closure panel engageable within means on the upper edges of said walls to detachably hold said closure panels in the closed position.
 4. The device according to claim 4 in which said closure panel comprises a rectangular panel, the outer transverse edge of said panel being depressed below the plane of said panel, said end walls of said casing extending inwardly at the upper edges thereof to form a closure panel engaging lip, said outer transverse edge of said panel engaging under said lip, and friction means depending from the side edges of said closure panel engagable within means on the upper edges of said walls to detachably hold said closure panels in the closed position. 